Professional Development Opportunities

Competitively selected K-12 teachers from across California participate in a multi-day summer civics institute focused on the judicial branch, and attend a dynamic follow-up meeting in the fall. Participants:

• Engage in an intensive civics institute focused on the judicial branch of government with other K-12 teachers, college professors, judges, and attorneys. They learn new and exciting ways to bring their civics-related social science program to life through the use of simulations, the visual and performing arts, and language arts.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop curriculum designed to increase the understanding of democracy, civic engagement, while supporting national and California content standards.
• Gather new strategies and resource materials, including Web tools, to take back to their classrooms

Due to Statewide Budget Cuts, this program is suspended for 2012.

Leadership Institutes

The California on My Honor: Leadership Institute is an opportunity for selected alumni of the Civics Institute to become leaders with the program. Leaders help organize and present at Court Connections workshops in their local communities, and provide professional development and coaching at California on My Honor: Civics Institutes

For more information contact:

Deborah Genzer
Administrative Office of the Courts
email: deborah.genzer@jud.ca.gov
phone: 415-865-8755.

Court Connections Workshops

One day teacher workshops provide teachers an exciting behind the scenes look at a local Superior court, and introduce them to civic education resources, aligned with national and California content standards. Participants have an opportunity to hear from judges, observe live courtroom proceedings, and receive lesson plans and useful resources for their grade level. Workshops are led by specially trained and selected teacher-leaders and ambassadors, who have completed both our California on My Honor: Civics Institute and Leadership Institute.  All workshops have been concluded for the 2010-11 school year.

Humboldt County	February 10, 2011	Flyer	Application
Contra Costa County	March 9, 2011	Flyer	Application
Sacramento County	March 14, 2011	Flyer	Application

Testimonials for Civics Institute

The new found friendships and camaraderie within this group is phenomenal. —Blair D.

This was an extremely enriching experience for several reasons. First, the caliber of the educators in the audience was extremely high. To give a lesson in front of other professionals and receive their feedback was very helpful. Second, the quality of the lessons, regardless of the level, was superb. Everyone worked amazingly hard on their lessons.—Spencer W.

I was just thinking the other day about the institute last summer and what a once in a lifetime experience that was!!! You all worked so hard to make sure every detail was taken care of. Every time I see the news and they show city hall or the justice center, I think of the incredible experience, people and learning that took place there...wow!!!!  —Jacqui R.

Testimonials for Workshops

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity. That was such a great and enriching experience to bring the practical concepts into the classroom. I cannot wait to share the experience with my students tomorrow. If there are any other great opportunities that you'd be interested in having me be a part of, I'd love to be a part of it! —Roger N.